Steve Mitchell Strikes Silver

Steve Mitchell headed for the English Senior Championships at Bedford with a single aim – to win the Men’s 1,500 metre title. Despite running a great tactical race and hitting the front at the bell after a very slow first 1,100 metres he couldn’t hold off a resurgent James Brewer in the home straight as the former prevailed by just .39 of a second. Steve ran 3.51.76 to James Brewer’s 3.51.37 with Inter-Counties Champion Tim Egerton a further half a second back. Steve must now wait until Tuesday to see whether he has done enough to gain selection for the World University Games in China in August.

Also running at the championships was Imogen Ainsworth but Imogen had a bad day at the office finishing fifth in a field of only five. Disappointingly Imogen has already run quickly enough this season to have been challenging for silver in her race and her time of 17.34.92 was way off her recent 16.49.07 timing from the BMC race at Watford. The race was won by Justina Heslop (Clapham Chasers) in 15.58.54.